The “Bedi-IMA Buttress”: Reinforcement of the Bronchial Stump with a Pedicled Internal Mammary Artery Buttress in Diabetic Patients after Lung Resection

Objective: The development of a bronchopleural fistula is a devastating complication after lung resection. We describe a new method of buttressing the closure of the stump in diabetic patients using a pedicled internal mammary artery buttress flap to avoid a bronchopleural fistula. Methods: An internal mammary pedicled flap was used in 14 diabetic patients of lung resection to cover the bronchial stump. Results: The flap of viable vascularized muscle mass gave an excellent coverage of the bronchial stump. All patients recovered well with no bronchopleural fistula. Conclusions: We recommend this technique as a method of buttressing the bronchial stump in cases of lung resection, as the internal mammary artery is easily available and its use is not associated with any side effects.